100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues
by Cara Sue Achterberg
(July 2020, Pegasus Books)
A challenging foster dog inspires an experienced foster mama to explore where the endless stream of unwanted dogs is coming from—and how things could change.
After nearly a year struggling to find a home for a challenging foster dog, Cara wonders—when will all the dogs be saved? Even after the one-hundredth foster dog passes through her home, the stream of homeless dogs appears endless. Seized by the need to act, Cara grabs her best friend, fills a van with donations, and heads south to discover what is really happening in the rural shelters where her foster dogs originate.
What she discovers will break her heart and compel her to share the story of heroes and villains and plenty of good dogs, in the hope of changing this world.
From North Carolina where pit bulls fill the shelters and heartworm rages to Tennessee where dogs are left forgotten in pounds and on to Alabama where unlikely heroes fight in a state that has largely forsaken its responsibilities to its animals, Cara meets the people working on the front lines in this national crisis of unwanted animals. The dogs, the people and their inspiring stories draw her south again and again in search of answers and maybe a dog of her own.
One Hundred Dogs and Counting will introduce the reader to many wonderful dogs—from sweet Oreo to gentle Fanny—but also to inspirational people sacrificing personal lives and fortunes to save deserving animals.
Join Cara on the rescue road as she follows her heart into the places where too many dogs are forgotten and discovers glimmers of hope that the day is coming when every dog will have a home.
AVAILABLE ANYWHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD. Follow the adventures of 100 Dogs & Counting and share its message on Facebook.
After nearly a year struggling to find a home for a challenging foster dog, Cara wonders—when will all the dogs be saved? Even after the one-hundredth foster dog passes through her home, the stream of homeless dogs appears endless. Seized by the need to act, Cara grabs her best friend, fills a van with donations, and heads south to discover what is really happening in the rural shelters where her foster dogs originate.
What she discovers will break her heart and compel her to share the story of heroes and villains and plenty of good dogs, in the hope of changing this world.
From North Carolina where pit bulls fill the shelters and heartworm rages to Tennessee where dogs are left forgotten in pounds and on to Alabama where unlikely heroes fight in a state that has largely forsaken its responsibilities to its animals, Cara meets the people working on the front lines in this national crisis of unwanted animals. The dogs, the people and their inspiring stories draw her south again and again in search of answers and maybe a dog of her own.
One Hundred Dogs and Counting will introduce the reader to many wonderful dogs—from sweet Oreo to gentle Fanny—but also to inspirational people sacrificing personal lives and fortunes to save deserving animals.
Join Cara on the rescue road as she follows her heart into the places where too many dogs are forgotten and discovers glimmers of hope that the day is coming when every dog will have a home.
AVAILABLE ANYWHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD. Follow the adventures of 100 Dogs & Counting and share its message on Facebook.
Reviews and Interviews!
Full of passion and compassion, this is an urgent and eloquent call to arms for anyone who cares about the countless dogs who suffer and die in the nation’s shelters every year. Sometimes it’s painful to open our eyes to suffering, but Cara Achterberg insists that we do so for that is the first essential step in fixing the problem she so eloquently tackles in this fierce, insightful book. A tribute to the heroic, big hearted people across this country who give so much of themselves to bring love, safety, and peace to second-chance dogs. She may not say so, but Cara Achterberg is one of those people.
-Peter Zhuetlin, NYT Best selling author Rescue Road, Rescued, and The Dog Went Over the Mountain
"It takes not just a special writer, but a special human being to go into the darkest corners of dog rescue and tell the story with so many glimmers of hope and light. Cara Sue Achtenberg’s One Hundred Dogs and Counting documents a journey of compassion, curiosity and faith—that knowing and sharing the truth is worth the effort, for it’s what ultimately will save so many more dogs."
- Kim Kavin, best-selling author of Little Boy Blue and The Dog Merchants
"An inspiring, call-to-action story about one woman’s dedication to the solution. Through her candid and heart-warming adventures, Achterberg proves that even small acts of kindness can save lives. Her message is a beacon that shines light directly on the path to end suffering; her journey proves that together we can end the needless suffering of millions of shelter animals across the nation."
-C.J. English, author of Rescue Matters.
"Achterberg has written a very personal and poignant account of what life is like when rescuing homeless animals. While there are many rewards to fostering, One Hundred Dogs & Counting brings to light the ongoing challenges and struggles facing many animal shelters. Achterberg is to be commended for peeling back the onion on a topic to which society often turns a blind eye. Solving the homeless animal problem is achievable through education and the dedication of selfless people, such as Achterberg."
-Meredith Wargo, author of DAWGS: A True Story of Lost Animals and the Kids Who Rescued Them
"...if you love dogs, if you have a rescue dog, if you foster dogs, if you volunteer or work at a rescue or shelter, if you work with dogs in any way, this book will likely speak to you. It’s a story that begins with a special dog being fostered by Achterberg. The dog is one of many (nearly 100 at the time) she’s fostered, and after asking herself why, no matter how many dogs she fosters, they just keep coming, she decides to visit some of the rural shelters her foster dogs are pulled from and get some answers. What she finds in those shelters is difficult to see and impossible to accept. But she gains insights into the situation in rural shelters; insights that help to inform a set of actions she recommends for anyone who wants to make a difference. I finished the book feeling hopeful, with ideas and resources I could use to make a difference for the dogs in those shelters. I highly recommend it!"
-Gail Gilmore, author of Dog Church
"I challenge any dog-loving person to read this book--that is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring--and not be spurred to action. By the time I turned the last page, I'd already created a mental list of ways in which I can help. If every person did just one thing, big or small--whether it's volunteering at a local shelter, donating money or supplies, spreading the word about this book and this need, or even fostering or adopting a dog--we, as a nation, would be well on our way to solving this fixable problem."
-Sherri Leimkuhler, author of What's Left Untold
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Achterberg combines humor, humility, vulnerability and intensity throughout, making it far more than a typical dog book. Everyone should read this as soon as possible, though it should be noted that due to the sheer amount of emotions raised, this is a slow read, though the pacing is easy to follow.
Read the full review here on Dog O Day. 
"One Hundred Dogs & Counting is a “must read” for any animal lover and animal rescue advocate. Cara not only perfectly captures that roller coaster of being in the rescue world, but she shines a light on both the good, the frustrating and yes, the sad reality of our shelters that everyone needs to see. While it can sometimes be emotionally tough to pick up such a (figuratively) heavy book full of impactful stories that linger in your mind for days on end, that is exactly why I’m saying it’s a must read. Because as Cara said, “It’s not that people don’t care, it’s that they don’t know.” Reading this book will ensure you not only know, but you’re energized to jump to action the moment you close it."
Read the full review on The Doodle Diaries. 
"I rated this book 5 stars on Goodreads without hesitation. Not only did it hold a special place in my heart, but it opened my eyes to the realities of this world. I thought I knew so much about rescue dogs, but after reading this book, I realized that the problem is even bigger than I could’ve imagined. Not only is the book incredibly eye-opening, but it’s also extremely detailed. Cara never misses an opportunity to describe what she saw and felt throughout her experiences. As I was reading it, I truly felt like I was in her shoes, seeing the dogs through her eyes." Read the full review on Mabel, the Rescue Dog |
Achterberg presents truth that is not pretty but is necessary. She provides information to educate readers about a serious problem in a way so personal, they will feel like they have just visited her puppy room and are sitting in her kitchen having coffee. In addition, she offers a wealth of knowledge valuable to any pet parent. 100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues is an important read for any dog lover.
Read the full review here on Life Unraveled. 
"With humor and deep compassion, Cara writes the book every dog lover needs to read and provides a remarkable journal how shelter dogs end up with a rescue and some of the heartbreaking details as to why some do and others don’t. This book offers hope in the face of unthinkable heartache, limited resources and long odds toward success. It also provides a narrative of hope shared by a cadry of real heroes working with limited resources in shelters and rescue groups while providing you an opportunity to help by sharing its message."
Read the entire review on Tails Around the Ranch. 
Review on I'm a Writer, Yes, I Am from a blogging buddy and an author with a refreshing voice, Martha Kennedy. You can find many delightful posts and information on Martha's books on her website.
Review and interview on Paws 4 Change (apologies for the fuzzy parts of the zoom interview - I was hiding in the basement from the noise in our house!) by Aubrie Kavanaugh, a powerful voice in the No-Kill movement and the founder of No-Kill Huntsville, a talented writer and researcher, and the author of Not Rocket Science: A Story of No Kill Animal Shelter Advocacy in Huntsville, Alabama. |